SUCCESS STORIES

Bengaluru International Airport redefines passenger experience

Netcon engages with BIAL to design and implement an automated network that adapts to the demanding requirements of passengers, airlines and operators.

Kempe Gowda International Airport, Bengaluru – An Award-Winning Airport

Human beings love to travel—be it for business or recreation. When people travel, the transition keeps airports busy. One such busiest airport in India is the Kempe Gowda International Airport (KGIA) in Bengaluru, the third largest and fastest growing airport in India with a handling capacity of 33.3 million passengers, owned and operated by Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL), a public–private partnership. With the passenger capacity increasing exponentially, BIAL is constructing a new terminal that will increase the passenger handling capacity to 60 million.

BIAL has been recognized as the Best Regional Airport in India & Central Asia for the third time in four years at the World Airport Awards 2020. Mr. Brian Paul Roche, Head of IT Projects says, “It is a team exercise and the award stands testament to BIAL’s commitment in providing a world-class service to passengers and stakeholders.”

Passenger Experience during Covid-19 Crisis

BIAL has nurtured talents and have made a rapid move with several dedicated processes that enhances the passengers travel experience. During the COVID-19 pandemic, BIAL is offering contactless travel environment to protect and safeguard the passengers in the airport. They have embraced digital technology and count on predictive and prescriptive analysis to foresee what is going to happen and what they must do in critical situation.

Future-proof Terminal in the Making

When asked about the Terminal 2 Design and Concept, Mr. Nedunchezhiyan, General Manager IT projects says, “We have addressed the constraints of BIAL’s Terminal 1 engineering and aesthetic look and feel, with a future proof, airport inside a garden concept with a natural feel good infrastructure, having a garden pavilion with energy conserving superior design.”

The Business Need

BIAL aims to build, scale, and support the terminal with complete integrated and secure IT Infrastructure solution, having in-depth visibility into all parts of the airport’s infrastructure.  BIAL’s IT Operations wing is keen on network flexibility and scalability during the phases of construction, which includes:

  • Migration of Existing Communication Network in BIAL Terminal 1 to a Software Defined Network (SDN) Architecture
  • Design & Implementation of SDN Powered Communication Networks for BIAL Terminal 2
  • Integrated Network Security Solution for T2
  • State-of-the-art ICT Infrastructure Conceptual Design for BIAL

The Solution

An airport network is a unified network for all communication needs connecting airlines, passengers, cargo, and several systems. With more than 50000+ IP end points ranging from desktops to critical IoT devices across different subsystems, implementing such a complex network requires domain expertise, knowledge on different subsystems, meticulous planning and precise co-ordination among all stake holders.

BIAL made an extensive evaluation of several technologies and zeroed on Cisco as its choice of technology platform. Having executed some of the large airport IT projects in India and abroad, Netcon has a unique blend of technical expertise in IT/OT and domain knowledge in Airport Systems. This was one of the key factors for BIAL to choose Netcon as their technology partner to work on the design and implementation of new terminal expansion and migration of Terminal 1 infrastructure. An innovative, multi-tenant, integrated communication network using Software Defined Network is being designed for both the Access and Data Center catering to 50+ subsystems.

In the given timeframe, Netcon Successfully implemented Next Generation Network for the New Runway and Airside of the New Terminal, Remote Stands, AAI & IMD Connectivity, Queue Management System and Integrated it with the existing T1 Network.

Netcon did a commendable job, kudos to the ground level team, they have been stretching hard to complete the project on time and have always been proactive!

Brian Paul Roche

Vice President - IT, Projects